Amy Dowden’s unique Strictly Come Dancing performance, which she disclosed just hours before tonight’s live broadcast, delighted viewers.
The 33-year-old professional dancer disclosed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and has since been having treatment while keeping followers updated on social media.
Amy had a single mastectomy and is now undergoing chemotherapy after doctors discovered new cancers, forcing her to leave Strictly 2023.
She did, however, recently delight fans by making a rare appearance on the show as a surprise guest to give out the voting terms and conditions.
And she’s now returned, accompanied by some special visitors.
Taking to Instagram after an appearance on Loose Women, Amy shared: ‘Hello everyone, I just wanted to come on and give the greatest thank you for all the comments I’ve gotten since my interview yesterday.
‘I tried to be as honest and as brave as I possibly could.’
She went on: ‘Today I’m on Strictly, yay! I’m so excited, It’s going to be an amazing show, I’m going to be in [Claudia Winkleman’s] area.
‘But I’m also excited because I get to bring in the audience tonight my two oncology nurses.
‘I’m so excited and it’s so lovely to say a thank you from me because they’re just incredible.’
Amy was apprehended shortly into the performance, as she stood upstairs with the performers and Claudia.
I love how #Strictly are including #amydowden she looks amazing ❤️ @dowden_amy
— Michelle 💙💛 #dontbuythesun (@TinkyTink) October 21, 2023
Amy Dowden back on my screen what a queen #Strictly
— 💐Nana Ama💐 (@aama25_em) October 21, 2023
How lovely to see #amydowden in the #Strictly ballroom again tonight ❤️#strictlyfamily@bbcstrictly @ClaudiaWinkle@TessDaly
— CAR0LE (@C4R013256) October 21, 2023
Love that Amy Dowden is with everyone on the show, nothing but love for that woman. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing
— Gon Give It To Ya (@NoRoutineHere) October 21, 2023
One fan said: ‘Love that Amy Dowden is with everyone on the show, nothing but love for that woman.’
‘I love how #Strictly are including #amydowden she looks amazing,’ another said.
‘Amy Dowden back on my screen what a queen,’ someone else wrote.
Amy previously appeared on Strictly, when she surprised fans by being revealed as a surprise guest to give out the voting terms and conditions.
Her co-stars clapped and cheered as she walked down the red carpet in a stunning white gown.
Amy recently released a video of herself bravely shaving her head after suffering from catastrophic hair loss.
However, Amy elected not to wear a wig for the surprise appearance at the last minute, and she has now revealed who persuaded her to do so.
Speaking to Janette Manrara on It Takes Two, in a rare TV appearance, Amy began: ‘I found losing my hair really traumatic, and it didn’t matter how much I prepared myself for it, I couldn’t even brush my own hair in the end because I couldn’t see with the amount that was coming out.
‘I couldn’t even look in the mirror in the end because I was bald on top, and one night I told my family and Ben, I’m shaving it tomorrow, and we did it, my friends and family got together and we all did it together and tried to make it as fun as possible.’
Speaking about Strictly, Amy continued: ‘My wig wasn’t ready for the dress run, because last time I worn it I had hair at Strictly.’
Amy went on to claim that the choice to appear without a wig was heavily influenced by Dianne Buswell, who writes her on a daily basis.
She said: ‘Diane was just going on at me all day, saying “you look so beautiful, don’t wear your head scarf,” and I went out and did the dress run and I just realised that this Strictly family treated me no different.
‘They just give me so much love and support, and I spoke to production beforehand.
‘The hair and makeup girls were just going “Don’t wear the wig, you look better without it, come on Amy!”‘
‘I just felt really liberated,’ she added.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer, while It Takes Two airs weeknights on BBC 2.
Macmillan cancer support
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